A note about your sending “Thanks!” to Bp. Slattery

I recommended (HERE) that you who attended the Pontifical Mass on 24 April in Washington DC, or who watched it on TV, send Bishop Slattery of Tulsa, the celebrant, a note of thanks via the combox on the blog of the Diocese of Tulsa.

To my delight, many of you did just that!

To my additional delight, many people are writing to tell me that Bp. Slattery sent back kind and personal responses which don’t appear to be form letters!

Impressive.

This bishop is a class act.

If you have received some responses, perhaps you might share a line or two in the combox.

55 Responses to A note about your sending “Thanks!” to Bp. Slattery

Celebrating Mass at the National Shrine on Saturday was a moment of grace for me, as it was – evidently – for many Catholics throughout the nation.

Thank you for you kind words which I read and found most encouraging. I am grateful that you took the time to express your thoughts so well.

Please continue to pray for me, for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, and for the whole Church that this period of suffering be for all of us a time of purification that leads to holiness. Know that I will be praying for you and those whom you love, May God bless you that you might always walk in the footsteps of His Son.

I cannot tell you how moved I have been these past several days at the outpouring of support and love which I have received from you,
Brandon, and from hundreds and hundreds of other Catholics across the nation and across the globe. Thank you.

The Mass was received with incredible joy, not simply because so many people have an affection and attraction to the ancient liturgy of the Church but more so because the Mass in Washington spoke to the needs of the Church today in ways that I think most people could not have imagined. It offers a sense of permanency in a changing world, a promise of hope, in the midst of the terrible confusion we face, and it speaks powerfully to the presence of God in our midst.

I am pleased that my homily was able to touch so many people at the same level, and give grateful praise to God for having used me for his instrument on Saturday.

Know that I will be praying for you, even as I humbly ask you to remember me in your daily prayers and sacrifices, and most of all, when you pray the Mass next.

***
Tá súil agam go mbeadh tú go maith, a Dhiarmuid.
I cannot tell you how moved I have been these past several days at the outpouring of support and love which I have received from you,
Dermot, and from hundreds and hundreds of other Catholics across the nation and across the globe. Thank you.

The Mass was received with incredible joy, not simply because so many people have an affection and attraction to the ancient liturgy of the Church but more so because the Mass in Washington spoke to the needs of the Church today in ways that I think most people could not have imagined. It offers a sense of permanency in a changing world, a promise of hope, in the midst of the terrible confusion we face, and it speaks powerfully to the presence of God in our midst.

I am pleased that my homily was able to touch so many people at the same level, and give grateful praise to God for having used me for his instrument on Saturday.

Know that I will be praying for you, even as I humbly ask you to remember me in your daily prayers and sacrifices, and most of all, when you pray the Mass next.

Celebrating Mass at the National Shrine on Saturday was a moment of grace for me, as it was – evidently – for many Catholics throughout the nation.

Thank you for you kind words which I read and found most encouraging. I am grateful that you took the time to express your thoughts so well. I bet spring is beautiful is Oswego.

Please continue to pray for me, for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, and for the whole Church that this period of suffering be for all of us a time of purification that leads to holiness. Know that I will be praying for you and those whom you love, May God bless you that you might always walk in the footsteps of His Son.

I was also surprised to recieve a personal thanks from the bishop that mentioned some of the themes I wrote about in my thank-you post:

Celebrating Mass at the National Shrine on Saturday was a moment of grace for me, as it was – evidently – for many Catholics throughout the nation.

Thank you, Dan, for you kind words which I read and found most encouraging. I am grateful that you took the time to express your thoughts so well. As you can tell from our diocesan website, many hundreds of Catholics across the world felt the same sense of of comfort, courage and hope which you did. How good God is to us! Is that not what the Credo teaches us?

Please continue to pray for me, for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, and for the whole Church that this period of suffering be for all of us a time of purification that leads to holiness. Know that I will be praying for you and those whom you love, May God bless you that you might always walk in the footsteps of His Son.

I cannot tell you how moved I have been these past several days at the outpouring of support and love which I have received from you,
Brian, and from hundreds and hundreds of other Catholics across the nation and across the globe. Thank you.

The Mass was received with incredible joy, not simply because so many people have an affection and attraction to the ancient liturgy of the Church but more so because the Mass in Washington spoke to the needs of the Church today in ways that I think most people could not have imagined. It offers a sense of permanency in a changing world, a promise of hope, in the midst of the terrible confusion we face, and it speaks powerfully to the presence of God in our midst.

I am pleased that my homily was able to touch so many people at the same level, and give grateful praise to God for having used me for his instrument on Saturday.

Know that I will be praying for you, even as I humbly ask you to remember me in your daily prayers and sacrifices, and most of all, when you pray the Mass next.

“I cannot tell you how moved I have been these past several days at the outpouring of support and love which I have received from you, Gil, and from hundreds and hundreds of other Catholics across the nation and across the globe. Thank you.

The Mass was received with incredible joy, not simply because so many people have an affection and attraction to the ancient liturgy of the Church but more so because the Mass in Washington spoke to the needs of the Church today in ways that I think most people could not have imagined. It offers a sense of permanency in a changing world, a promise of hope, in the midst of the terrible confusion we face, and it speaks powerfully to the presence of God in our midst.

I am pleased that my homily was able to touch so many people at the same level, and give grateful praise to God for having used me for his instrument on Saturday.

Know that I will be praying for you, even as I humbly ask you to remember me in your daily prayers and sacrifices, and most of all, when you pray the Mass next.

Some standard paragraphs, but hey, who wouldn’t do exactly that. I was impressed to just GET an email.

The middle paragraph was more personal:-

Thank you for you kind words which I read and found most encouraging. I am grateful that you took the time to express your thoughts so well – and all the way from the U.K. I was in Durham last October to pray at the tombs of Venerable Bede and St. Cuthbert. How much I enjoyed being in England. How wonderful were the people I met.

I barely wrote anything…just that I had sent some of his words on suffering to my mother who is going through a rough time. He wrote back the neatest email. I will definitely be praying for him. God bless him!

Wow – what a nice surprise it was to receive a reply to a very brief comment of thanks to the bishop:

I cannot tell you how moved I have been these past several days at the outpouring of support and love which I have received from you,
Sue, and from hundreds and hundreds of other Catholics across the nation and across the globe. Thank you.

The Mass was received with incredible joy, not simply because so many people have an affection and attraction to the ancient liturgy of the Church but more so because the Mass in Washington spoke to the needs of the Church today in ways that I think most people could not have imagined. It offers a sense of permanency in a changing world, a promise of hope, in the midst of the terrible confusion we face, and it speaks powerfully to the presence of God in our midst.

I am pleased that my homily was able to touch so many people at the same level, and give grateful praise to God for having used me for his instrument on Saturday.

Know that I will be praying for you, even as I humbly ask you to remember me in your daily prayers and sacrifices, and most of all, when you pray the Mass next.

But – here’s the kicker – then I got an Email from the bishop apologizing for misspelling my name! (I hadn’t even noticed – it was just an extra character at the end.)

Suspecting that his administrative assistant was helping send the Emails and was feeling a little embarrassed, I replied:

“Your Grace, Please don’t worry about a little typo!
It was SO kind of you to send a reply. We will continue to pray that God bless you (and your hardworking staff!) abundantly in all of your undertakings.”

And I got ANOTHER reply:

“Thank you, I will let my staff know you appreciate their work.

Bishop Slattery
Tulsa”

It appears that the bishop is pounding away on his keyboard HIMSELF. I am beyond impressed. More prayers aloft for Bishop Slattery, and that His Holiness will send us a dozen more just like him!

I was unable to attend as I live in the UK. I didn’t even see it BUT having heard the sermon via Fr Z and read articles and seen the pictures in circulation – I just wanted to say a big thank-you. Here’s what I received.

“I cannot tell you how moved I have been these past several days at the outpouring of support and love which I have received from you, Anthony, and from hundreds and hundreds of other Catholics across the nation and across the globe, especially the United Kingdom. Thank you.

The Mass was received with incredible joy, not simply because so many people have an affection and attraction to the ancient liturgy of the Church but more so because the Mass in Washington spoke to the needs of the Church today in ways that I think most people could not have imagined. It offers a sense of permanency in a changing world, a promise of hope, in the midst of the terrible confusion we face, and it speaks powerfully to the presence of God in our midst.

I am pleased that my homily was able to touch so many people at the same level, and give grateful praise to God for having used me for his instrument on Saturday.

Know that I will be praying for you, even as I humbly ask you to remember me in your daily prayers and sacrifices, and most of all, when you pray the Mass next.

What a wonderful Bishop. I never expected a reply. May Our Lord Continue to bless Bishop Slattery and the good work he does.

“Celebrating Mass at the National Shrine on Saturday was a moment of grace for me, as it was – evidently – for many Catholics throughout the nation.

Thank you, Father Finelli, for you kind words which I read and found most encouraging. I am grateful that you took the time to express your thoughts so well. As you can tell from our diocesan website, many hundreds of Catholics across the world felt the same sense of of comfort, courage and hope which you did. How good God is to us!

Please continue to pray for me, for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, and for the whole Church that this period of suffering be for all of us a time of purification that leads to holiness. Know that I will be praying for you and those whom you love, May God bless you that you might always walk in the footsteps of His Son.

The Bishop is so kind! He wrote me a similiar email to those above but added personal details that let me know that this was not just a form letter. I then replied and sent a thank you for his thank you – and sent a few pictures along with it. His Excellency wrote back and said he enjoyed the photos!

Our dear bishop must be burning the midnight oil keeping up with all of these messages and emails!

It would appear that the Bishop had to write the same response to all of us who thanked him (not surprising from someone who has to write a lot of responses) but it is great he took the time to do so. =)

As for mine,

“I cannot tell you how moved I have been these past several days at the outpouring of support and love which I have received from you,
Justin, and from hundreds and hundreds of other Catholics across the nation and across the globe. Thank you.

The Mass was received with incredible joy, not simply because so many people have an affection and attraction to the ancient liturgy of the Church but more so because the Mass in Washington spoke to the needs of the Church today in ways that I think most people could not have imagined. It offers a sense of permanency in a changing world, a promise of hope, in the midst of the terrible confusion we face, and it speaks powerfully to the presence of God in our midst.”

I left for Bishop Slattery a comment to the effect that I am convinced that the Holy Spirit was behind the events that led to his presence as the celebrant and homilist for this historic Mass. I did not notice this precise thought in the other comments I saw there. At any rate, I received an e-mail reply from His Excellency containing the following paragraph that I have not seen in others’ replies from him:

“I think we would do well to remember, Henry, that the Holy Spirit is behind everything in our lives. He is the ineffable energy that we need to love and to seek God. So, yes, the Spirit was behind the decisions made at this Mass, just as He behind everything.”

Just think of the time required to merely scan many hundreds of comments and e-mails and then, even if some boilerplate paragraphs have already been written–as anyone would do in such a circumstance–then insert a personalized sentence or two reacting the specific comments. Who has ever heard of a bishop responding promptly like this to communications from people at large?

I recall that, in a post some time ago, I mentioned that in past times of crisis in the Church, a living saint had often stepped forward in time of direst need, and asked whether we could possibly hope for such a saint in our own time. Perhaps we can.

I received a response from Bp. Slatterly as well! Totally unexpected! I only sent a few words of thanks — nothing special from me. The fact that his excellency (and/or staff) took the time to respond to seemingly everyone is very VERY impressive.

I think many bishops miss the pastoral aspect of ministry….their being so administrative with their office. I remember my own bishop, Gregory Aymond, personally contacted me at work in answer to an email I’d sent him asking for help in a juridical matter involving a grave liturgical abuse. The problem was fixed very quickly, but I was humbled that he’d take time out of his schedule to give me reassurance.

I cannot tell you how moved I have been these past several days at the outpouring of support and love which I have received from you,
Mark, and from hundreds and hundreds of other Catholics across the nation and across the globe.

The Mass was received with incredible joy, not simply because so many people have an affection and attraction to the ancient liturgy of the Church but more so because the Mass in Washington spoke to the needs of the Church today in ways that I think most people could not have imagined. It offers a sense of permanency in a changing world, a promise of hope, in the midst of the terrible confusion we face, and it speaks powerfully to the presence of God in our midst.

I am pleased that my homily was able to touch so many people at the same level, and give grateful praise to God for having used me for his instrument on Saturday.

Know that I will be praying for you, even as I humbly ask you to remember me in your daily prayers and sacrifices, and most of all, when you pray the Mass next.

I cannot tell you how moved I have been these past several days at the outpouring of support and love which I have received from you,
Phil, and from hundreds and hundreds of other Catholics across the nation and across the globe. Thank you.

The Mass was received with incredible joy, not simply because so many people have an affection and attraction to the ancient liturgy of the Church but more so because the Mass in Washington spoke to the needs of the Church today in ways that I think most people could not have imagined. It offers a sense of permanency in a changing world, a promise of hope, in the midst of the terrible confusion we face, and it speaks powerfully to the presence of God in our midst.

I am pleased that my homily was able to touch so many people at the same level, and give grateful praise to God for having used me for his instrument on Saturday.

Know that I will be praying for you, even as I humbly ask you to remember me in your daily prayers and sacrifices, and most of all, when you pray the Mass next.

Celebrating Mass at the National Shrine on Saturday was a moment of grace for me, as it was – evidently – for many Catholics throughout the nation.

Thank you, Marilyn, for you kind words which I read and found most encouraging. I am grateful that you took the time to express your thoughts so well. As you can tell from our diocesan website, many hundreds of Catholics across the world felt the same sense of of comfort, courage and hope which you did. How good God is to us!

Please continue to pray for me, for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, and for the whole Church that this period of suffering be for all of us a time of purification that leads to holiness. Know that I will be praying for you and those whom you love, May God bless you that you might always walk in the footsteps of His Son.

Frankly, it doesn’t even matter to me that he apparently did a form e-mail (with individual names inserted). The fact that he’d take the time to do that is still the mark of a class act. How many others would bother?

His Excellency was most gracious in his reply to me, with the little personalization that made me know he really read my comments. For someone of his stature to pay attention is unheard of in my part of the country.

I had meant that viewing the Mass brought such peace that it was (and I used it…) an ineffable experience to witness it. You’re all right…form letters, but, that the good bishop took the time too write back was, well, ineffable…;)

—

Celebrating Mass at the National Shrine on Saturday was a moment of grace for me, as it was – evidently – for many Catholics throughout the nation.

Thank you, Bryan, for you kind words which I read and found most encouraging. I am grateful that you took the time to express your thoughts so well. As you can tell from our diocesan website, many hundreds of Catholics across the world felt the same sense of of comfort, courage and hope which you did. How good God is to us!

Please continue to pray for me, for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, and for the whole Church that this period of suffering be for all of us a time of purification that leads to holiness. Know that I will be praying for you and those whom you love, May God bless you that you might always walk in the footsteps of His Son.

Celebrating Mass at the National Shrine on Saturday was a moment of grace for me, as it was – evidently – for many Catholics throughout the nation.

Thank you, John, for you kind words which I read and found most encouraging. I am grateful that you took the time to express your thoughts so well. As you can tell from our diocesan website, many hundreds of Catholics across the world felt the same sense of of comfort, courage and hope which you did. How good God is to us!

Please continue to pray for me, for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, and for the whole Church that this period of suffering be for all of us a time of purification that leads to holiness. Know that I will be praying for you and those whom you love, May God bless you that you might always walk in the footsteps of His Son.

To be honest, I assumed His Excellency’s response was a form letter (which didn’t bother me; like others, I was impressed enough at that) and didn’t read it all the way through, until I read this post. Upon re-reading it, I realized that his response made specific mention of my wedding anniversary; I had mentioned to him in my original note of thanks that my wife and I were attending the Mass in celebration of our 6th wedding anniversary as well as the Pope’s 5th. I am truly stunned that he would take the time to respond personally to so many.

Isn’t it amazing that this Pontifical Mass, which many have dismissed as “haughty” and “unpastoral”, has led to these seemingly small but patently holy responses from His Excellency that epitomize humility and pastoral sensitivity? How many of the clergy in our Church who harp on the hubris of something like the cappa magna would take the time and effort to give such heartfelt, personal, and warm responses to their flock in the same situation?

Celebrating Mass at the National Shrine on Saturday was a moment of grace for me, as it was – evidently – for many Catholics throughout the nation.

Thank you, C—-, for you kind words which I read and found most encouraging. I am grateful that you took the time to express your thoughts so well. As you can tell from our diocesan website, many hundreds of Catholics across the world felt the same sense of of comfort, courage and hope which you did. How good God is to us!

Please continue to pray for me, for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, and for the whole Church that this period of suffering be for all of us a time of purification that leads to holiness. Know that I will be praying for you and those whom you love, May God bless you that you might always walk in the footsteps of His Son.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Bishop Edward J. Slattery
Bishop of Tulsa

—————————————————
This reminds me of a reply I once received from another great bishop, Abp. Raymond Burke, to whom I wrote a few years ago thanking him for standing up for canon 915. I was greatly touched in both cases.

I agree Fr. Z, Bishop Slattery is class act! He personalized many of the e-mails…like the one he sent me. I didn’t mention I was an Oratorian priest but I did sign my name with a C.O. at the end and this is what I got:

“I will remember you especially at the beatification of Cardinal Newman this year. Pray that it goes well with the Pontiff in England!”

I was touched and humbled…and I still am when I think about how he took the time to acknowledge a post in a combox!

Celebrating Mass at the National Shrine on Saturday was a moment of grace for me, as it was – evidently – for many Catholics throughout the nation.

Thank you, Sandra, for you kind words which I read and found most encouraging. I am grateful that you took the time to express your thoughts so well. As you can tell from our diocesan website, many hundreds of Catholics across the world felt the same sense of of comfort, courage and hope which you did. How good God is to us!

Please continue to pray for me, for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, and for the whole Church that this period of suffering be for all of us a time of purification that leads to holiness. Know that I will be praying for you and those whom you love, May God bless you that you might always walk in the footsteps of His Son.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Bishop Edward J. Slattery
Bishop of Tulsa
——————————————————————————————————
Your Excellency you can be assured that I do pray for you, as well as Our Holy Father, all pastors and priests and those with a call to the vocation of the priesthood.

I received the same couple of sentences as printed above in other comments. I am really impressed that these emails are personalized to all of us. Here’s the personal part in mine.

Thank you, Sue, for you kind words which I read and found most encouraging. I am grateful that you took the time to express your thoughts so well. As the future mother of a priest, you have a unique perspective, thank you for sharing it with me. I know that the time your son spends in the seminary seems lengthy, but it leads to the most wonderful, the most rewarding life imaginable. I will keep him and his classmates in my prayers.

I was indeed quite surprised to receive a letter back, so much so that I even sent a letter back to His Excellency, noting that I would fondly remember his civility, as even friends and family rarely nowadays return correspondence within 24 hours, let alone a bishop with very grave and time-consuming responsibilities, and mentioning a specific prayer request.

To my surprise, Bishop Slattery answered that letter as well and within a few hours. Fr. Z, you are absolutely correct; he is a real gentleman. Would that more clergy were like him!

Aside, I can’t help but wonder if those priests who make so much noise about liturgy and practice being “accessible to the people” and would declaim anything higher than the Mass of Cremation as being obsolete and over-hierarchical would answer a simple letter from the likes of somebody as insignificant as myself so quickly, if at all.

It appears that there was a “standard response” as my letter was the same as several others above…

Celebrating Mass at the National Shrine on Saturday was a moment of grace for me, as it was – evidently – for many Catholics throughout the nation.

Thank you for you kind words which I read and found most encouraging. I am grateful that you took the time to express your thoughts so well.

Please continue to pray for me, for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, and for the whole Church that this period of suffering be for all of us a time of purification that leads to holiness. Know that I will be praying for you and those whom you love, May God bless you that you might always walk in the footsteps of His Son.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Bishop Edward J. Slattery
Bishop of Tulsa

But I mean, seriously…I would expect to get a standard for response for something like this. It seems that he did respond personally to some of them, and that shows some real effort.

This is unstoppable. Look at the sign I saw in the hallway visiting Central Catholic in Toledo Last Week:

I will be posting a complete article about this very idea at my own blog, but it might be worth mentioning here.

I am working on the “First Mass” for one of our seminarians who is graduating from the Pontifical North American University and who will be ordained at the end of the month. I have known him for several years (he may well be reading this…I have seen him comment here a few times) and talking to other seminarians, he seems to be more the norm than the exception in this respect. In selecting music, he rather assumed that we would be using Chant for the Ordinary (we decided on the Missa de Angelis) and more traditional hymnody (Adoro Te Devote/ Ubi Caritas at communion).

I wrote several years back that things would change dramatically when this first wave of seminarians became priests after Summorum…imagine perhaps ten years from now as such men move into positions as pastors. There will be little need for “legislation” to move things forward then…

Celebrating Mass at the National Shrine on Saturday was a moment of grace for me, as it was – evidently – for many Catholics throughout the nation.

Thank you for you kind words which I read and found most encouraging. I am grateful that you took the time to express your thoughts so well. As you can tell from our diocesan website, many hundreds of Catholics across the world felt the same sense of of comfort, courage and hope which you did. How good God is to us!

Please continue to pray for me, for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, and for the whole Church that this period of suffering be for all of us a time of purification that leads to holiness. Know that I will be praying for you and those whom you love, May God bless you that you might always walk in the footsteps of His Son.

Celebrating Mass at the National Shrine on Saturday was a moment of grace for me, as it was – evidently – for many Catholics throughout the nation.

Thank you for you kind words which I read and found most encouraging. I am grateful that you took the time to express your thoughts so well – especially given the many demands on your time at the seminary. I hope that the rest of the year goes well and that your exams are crowned with success.

Please continue to pray for me, for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, and for the whole Church that this period of suffering be for all of us a time of purification that leads to holiness. Know that I will be praying for you and those whom you love, May God bless you that you might always walk in the footsteps of His Son.

I cannot tell you how moved I have been these past several days at the outpouring of support and love which I have received from you,
(my name), and from hundreds and hundreds of other Catholics across the nation and across the globe. Thank you.

The Mass was received with incredible joy, not simply because so many people have an affection and attraction to the ancient liturgy of the Church but more so because the Mass in Washington spoke to the needs of the Church today in ways that I think most people could not have imagined. It offers a sense of permanency in a changing world, a promise of hope, in the midst of the terrible confusion we face, and it speaks powerfully to the presence of God in our midst.

I am pleased that my homily was able to touch so many people at the same level, and give grateful praise to God for having used me for his instrument on Saturday.

Know that I will be praying for you, even as I humbly ask you to remember me in your daily prayers and sacrifices, and most of all, when you pray the Mass next.

Sincerely and gratefully yours,

Bishop Edward Slattery
Bishop of Tulsa

But here’s the awesome part, when I sent a reply back thanking him for taking time, he wrote back another response…

Your excellency bp slattery

Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to reply back to my comments. It’s simple things like these that inspire me to be a priest. May Mary protect you under her mantle

Pax vobis

(my name)

Please God one day you shall celebrate the Holy Mass at the altar and give the Eucharist to his people. I will pray that day comes quickly.

Bishop Slattery

He is replying to these e-mails, I am beyond humbled that he’d take the time to reply to someone well outside of his diocese. May God grant him many years

I cannot tell you how moved I have been these past several days at the outpouring of support and love which I have received from you,
Jason, and from hundreds and hundreds of other Catholics across the nation and across the globe. Thank you.

The Mass was received with incredible joy, not simply because so many people have an affection and attraction to the ancient liturgy of the Church but more so because the Mass in Washington spoke to the needs of the Church today in ways that I think most people could not have imagined. It offers a sense of permanency in a changing world, a promise of hope, in the midst of the terrible confusion we face, and it speaks powerfully to the presence of God in our midst.

I am pleased that my homily was able to touch so many people at the same level, and give grateful praise to God for having used me for his instrument on Saturday.

Know that I will be praying for you, even as I humbly ask you to remember me in your daily prayers and sacrifices, and most of all, when you pray the Mass next.

I mentioned in my note to him that it was the Catholic understanding of redemptive suffering that brought be back to the Church, as it was the only one that made sense to me. In his response he wrote:
“As you say, the Catholci understanding of suffering is the only one that makes sense.”
I was and am astounded. I expected no response, as he must be very busy.

I was so surprised and thrilled to receive an email from His Excellency. It was the same as many above, but with my name in it. This is the work of someone who is authentically “pastoral” (as opposed to the way the word is is often used) and understands how people love to be “called by name.” I didn’t say much, just that I thought this was one of the best homilies I’ve ever read.

I did not see the mass, I read about it on this blog. Is it online anywhere? I think the flap over the long cape is hilarious! What a silly thing to get upset over.

I was truly in awe when I opened my email and saw ‘Bishop Slattery’ in the subject line. It took a second to realize what I was seeing. I thought it was something ‘about’ Bishop Slattery, not an e mail ‘from’ him.

My response from the good Bishop is like semperficatholic’s @ 8:03 am.

I am truly humbled by and grateful for his kindess. Now that’s how to Bishop.

Bishop Slaterry gave this reply to me:
quote:
I am overwhelmed with gratitude to God for the marvelous way He has used last week’s Pontifical Mass in Washington to reawaken faith and trust in His power to save.

Hundred and hundreds of Catholics (and a surprising number of non-Catholics as well) have written to me to tell me that they felt the Mass represented a kind of turning point for them in their spiritual journeys. These testimonials have poured in from around the country and from around the world – with three today just from Malasia – leaving me astonished at the goodness of God.

Thank you, Davin, for writing and sharing your own relfections on this celebration in honor of Pope Benedict’s 5th anniversary. I will rely upon your promise of prayers, as indeed I promise you a sharing in my own. Let us together ask God to heal the wounds of the Church, to protect and safeguard our Holy Father, and to strengthen everywhere the courage of our people.

Your letter touched my heart.

In?Domino

Bishop Edward Slattery
Bishop of Tulsa
end quote

I am surprised that he actually replied in the first place. But the reply feels very personalised in my case. I mentioned to him the fact that I am from Singapore, and Malaysia(he spelt it, “Malasia”) is our neighbour.

I cannot tell you how moved I have been these past several days at the outpouring of
support and love which I have received from you,

Tony, and from hundreds and hundreds of other Catholics across the nation and across
the globe. Thank you.

The Mass was received with incredible joy, not simply because so many people have an
affection and attraction to the ancient liturgy of the Church but more so because
the Mass in Washington spoke to the needs of the Church today in ways that I think
most people could not have imagined. It offers a sense of permanency in a changing
world, a promise of hope, in the midst of the terrible confusion we face, and it
speaks powerfully to the presence of God in our midst.

I am pleased that my homily was able to touch so many people at the same level, and
give grateful praise to God for having used me for his instrument on Saturday.

Know that I will be praying for you, even as I humbly ask you to remember me in your
daily prayers and sacrifices, and most of all, when you pray the Mass next.

Sincerely and gratefully yours,

Bishop Edward Slattery
Bishop of Tulsa

###

I was pleasantly surprised that the Bishop took time to respond to my comment. His diocese is blessed to have him.

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“This blog is like a fusion of the Baroque ‘salon’ with its well-tuned harpsichord around which polite society gathered for entertainment and edification and, on the other hand, a Wild West “saloon” with its out-of-tune piano and swinging doors, where everyone has a gun and something to say. Nevertheless, we try to point our discussions back to what it is to be Catholic in this increasingly difficult age, to love God, and how to get to heaven.” – Fr. Z

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“The liturgy is the principal organ of the Church’s Ordinary Magisterium.”

- Pius XI

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

- 2 Chronicles 7:14 RSV

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"We as Catholics have not properly combated (the culture) because we have not been taught our Catholic Faith, especially in the depth needed to address these grave evils of our time. This is a failure of catechesis both of children and young people that has been going on for fifty years. It is being addressed, but it needs much more radical attention... What has also contributed greatly to the situation is an exaltation of the virtue of tolerance which is falsely seen as the virtue which governs all other virtues. In other words, we should tolerate other people in their immoral actions to the extent that we seem also to accept the moral wrong. Tolerance is a virtue, but it is certainly not the principal virtue; the principal virtue is charity... Charity means speaking the truth. I have encountered it (not speaking the truth) many times myself as a priest and bishop. It is something we simply need to address. There is far too much silence — people do not want to talk about it because the topic is not 'politically correct.' But we cannot be silent any longer."

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"Where priest and people together face the same way, what we have is a cosmic orientation and also in interpretation of the Eucharist in terms of resurrection and trinitarian theology. Hence it is also an interpretation in terms of parousia, a theology of hope, in which every Mass is an approach to the return of Christ."

"In those situations where homosexual unions have been legally recognized or have been given the legal status and rights belonging to marriage, clear and emphatic opposition is a duty. ... If all Catholics are obliged to oppose the legal recognition of homosexual unions, Catholic politicians are obliged to do so in a particular way, in keeping with their responsibility as politicians." CDF 2003

One of the most dangerous errors is that civilization is automatically bound to increase and spread. The lesson of history is the opposite; civilization is a rarity, attained with difficulty and easily lost. The normal state of humanity is barbarism, just as the normal surface of the planet is salt water. Land looms large in our imagination and civilization in history books, only because sea and savagery are to us less interesting.
— C. S. Lewis

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For contemplation…

"One of the few things in life you can be absolutely sure about is that, if Management tells you it doesn't like your Tone, you are getting something right."

"Latin is a precise, essential language. It will be abandoned, not because it is unsuitable for the new requirements of progress, but because the new men will not be suitable for it. When the age of demagogues and charlatans begins, a language like Latin will no longer be useful, and any oaf will be able to give a speech in public and talk in such a way that he will not be kicked off the stage. The secret to this will consist in the fact that, by making use of words that are general, elusive, and sound good, he will be able to speak for an hour without saying anything. With Latin, this is impossible."

- - Giovanni Guareschi

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Let us pray…

Grant unto thy Church, we beseech
Thee, O merciful God, that She, being
gathered together by the Holy Ghost, may
be in no wise troubled by attack from her
foes.
O God, who by sin art offended and by
penance pacified, mercifully regard the
prayers of Thy people making supplication
unto Thee,and turn away the scourges of
Thine anger which we deserve for our sins.
Almighty and Everlasting God, in
whose Hand are the power and the
government of every realm: look down upon
and help the Christian people that the heathen
nations who trust in the fierceness of their
own might may be crushed by the power of
thine Arm. Through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee
in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world
without end. R. Amen.

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A great hymnal…

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Because it matters what children read…

I carry one of these super-strong rosaries in my spare mag pouch! The Swiss Guards have them too!

The Swiss Guard have these rosaries!For the story clickHERE and HERE (esp. 18:00)

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Food For Thought

“The legalization of the termination of pregnancy is none other than the authorization given to an adult, with the approval of an established law, to take the lives of children yet unborn and thus incapable of defending themselves. It is difficult to imagine a more unjust situation, and it is very difficult to speak of obsession in a matter such as this, where we are dealing with a fundamental imperative of every good conscience — the defense of the right to life of an innocent and defenseless human being.”

For your consideration…

"One of the most dangerous errors is that civilization is automatically bound to increase and spread. The lesson of history is the opposite; civilization is a rarity, attained with difficulty and easily lost. The normal state of humanity is barbarism, just as the normal surface of the planet is salt water. Land looms large in our imagination and civilization in history books, only because sea and savagery are to us less interesting."

- C.S. Lewis

More food for thought:

“I expect to die in bed, my successor will die in prison and his successor will die a martyr in the public square. His successor will pick up the shards of a ruined society and slowly help rebuild civilization, as the church has done so often in human history.”

Francis Card. George

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"It will never be known what acts of cowardice have been committed for fear of not looking sufficiently progressive."

Charles Pierre PéguyNotre Patrie, 1905

"If I ought to write the truth, I am of the mind that I ought to flee all meetings of bishops, because I have never seen any happy or satisfactory outcome to any council, nor one that has deterred evils more than it has occasioned their acceptance and growth."

St. Gregory Nazianzus
ep. 131 - AD 382

“We will conquer your Rome, break your crosses, and enslave your women. If we do not reach that time, then our children and grandchildren will reach it, and they will sell your sons as slaves at the slave market.”

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And... GO TO CONFESSION!

“And how we burned in the camps later, thinking: What would things have been like if every Security operative, when he went out at night to make an arrest, had been uncertain whether he would return alive and had to say good-bye to his family? Or if, during periods of mass arrests, as for example in Leningrad, when they arrested a quarter of the entire city, people had not simply sat there in their lairs, paling with terror at every bang of the downstairs door and at every step on the staircase, but had understood they had nothing left to lose and had boldly set up in the downstairs hall an ambush of half a dozen people with axes, hammers, pokers, or whatever else was at hand?... The Organs would very quickly have suffered a shortage of officers and transport and, notwithstanding all of Stalin's thirst, the cursed machine would have ground to a halt! If...if...We didn't love freedom enough. And even more – we had no awareness of the real situation.... We purely and simply deserved everything that happened afterward.”

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Food For Thought

“Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their own appetites. . . . Society cannot exist unless a controlling power upon will and appetite be placed somewhere; and the less of it there is within, the more there must be without. It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things, that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters.”

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